New Findings from Johns Hopkins University Update Understanding of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Healthcare Coverage for HIV Provider Visits Before and After Implementation of the Affordable Care Act)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Weekly News -- Fresh data on Human Immunodeficiency Virus are presented in a new report. According to news reporting originating in Baltimore, Maryland, by VerticalNews journalists, research stated, "Before implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, 100 000 persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) lacked healthcare coverage and relied on a safety net of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program support, local charities, or uncompensated care (RWHAP/Uncomp) to cover visits to HIV providers. We compared HIV provider coverage before (2011-2013) versus after (first half of 2014) ACA implementation among a total of 28 374 PLWH followed up in 4 sites in Medicaid expansion states (California, Oregon, and Maryland), 4 in a state (New York) that expanded Medicaid in 2001, and 2 in nonexpansion states (Texas and Florida)."

Funders for this research include AHRQ, HRSA, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Investigation and Biostatistics Core of the UC San Diego Center for AIDS Research.

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from Johns Hopkins University, "Multivariate multinomial logistic models were used to assess changes in RWHAP/Uncomp, Medicaid, and private insurance coverage, using Medicare as a referent. In expansion state sites, RWHAP/Uncomp coverage decreased (unadjusted, 28% before and 13% after ACA; adjusted relative risk ratio [ARRR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], .40-.48). Medicaid coverage increased (23% and 38%; ARRR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.70-1.94), and private coverage was unchanged (21% and 19%; 0.96;.89-1.03). In New York sites, both RWHAP/Uncomp (20% and 19%) and Medicaid (50% and 50%) coverage were unchanged, while private coverage decreased (13% and 12%; ARRR, 0.86; 95% CI, .80-.92). In nonexpansion state sites, RWHAP/Uncomp (57% and 52%) and Medicaid (18% and 18%) coverage were unchanged, while private coverage increased (4% and 7%; ARRR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.62-1.99). In expansion state sites, half of PLWH relying on RWHAP/Uncomp coverage shifted to Medicaid, while in New York and nonexpansion state sites, reliance on RWHAP/Uncomp remained constant."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "In the first half of 2014, the ACA did not eliminate the need for RWHAP safety net provider visit coverage."